- Email: [email protected]
Applied means to increase stimulation in the control room work at the
to Night to Afternoon). This paper analyses the two primary premises behind these suggestions. Data on subjective sleep times collected from both forward and backward rotators indicate that the Forward rotation may not be more beneficial than the Backward rotation. Although the work start times of a forward schedule parallels the direction for faster biological adjustment, sleep times do not. Also, the between-shift intervals for forward direction shifts are not necessarily more conducive for flexible shift schedule design given the sleep behaviours of shiftworkers. 22.1.42 (118729) Ruffner, J.W., and McAnulty, D.M.. Checking out the checklist: Evaluation of a j o b performance aid for assessing organizational resource management. In: Perspectives. Proc Human Factors Soc 33rd Ann Meeting, Denver, Colorado, 1 6 - 2 0 Oct 1989. Human Factors Soc, Santa Monica, Cal, Vol 2, 1989, pp 8 2 0 - 8 2 4 , 3 refs. As a job performance aid, the checklist has been applied to a wide variety of organisational requirements such as task analysis, survey questionnaire development, office automation and maintenance. Although there are many examples of checklists that have been developed for different organisational requirements, there has been relatively little research performed to evaluate the checklists. One reason for this may be the lack of an acceptable methodology and evaluation criteria. This paper (a) describes a methodology and the criteria developed to evaluate the checklist used to assess the management of aviation resources by Army Reserve Component training facilities and units, and (b) summarises the results of the evaluation. Army National Guard and Army Reserve aviators and aviation technicians used 5-point rating scales to evaluate the Detectability, Importance and Criticality of the checklist items. A database was developed to summarise the Detectability, Importance and Criticality information. In addition, a graphic decision aid was designed to help military managers decide whether to retain, revise or delete individual checklist items. The methodology and criteria developed for this research may be applicable in other organisational contexts, especially those in which there is a requirement to evaluate an existing checklist and a fullscale validation effort is n o t feasible. 22.1.43 (119215)
Dahlgren, K. Shfftwork, work scheduling and their impact upon operators in nuclear power plants. In: E.W. Hagen (Ed),
Conference Record for 1988 IEEE 4th Conf on Human Factors and Power Plants, Monterey, Cal, 5 - 9 June 1988. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, New York, 1988, pp 5 1 7 521, 24 refs. The risk of operator error may increase during the night shift due to the influence from circadian rhythms, with variations in alertness and performance efficiency. Many of the more severe accidents and incidents have also occurred during night shifts. Although the problems of a decrease in performance capacity in connection with shiftwork cannot be eliminated, several important measures can be taken to decrease the probability of its occurrence. This paper deals with some factors that have been shown to have a major impact upon the adjustment to shift work - the design of the shift schedule playing an important role. It is suggested that improvements are made in terms of incident reporting systems and an incident analysis to ensure that proper remedies are applied regarding the problems associated with 24-hour operations. Also, the already existing b o d y of knowledge from applied shiftwork research is considered in relation to present practices. 22.1.44 (118481) Switzer, F., and Idaszak, J. Effects of crew coordination and level of instruction on process control operator behaviour. In: Perspectives. Proc Human Factors Soc 33rd Ann Meeting, Denver, Colorado, 1 6 - 2 0 Oct 1989. Human Factors Soc, Santa Monica, Cal, Vol 2, 1989, pp 7 8 8 - 7 9 1 , 7 refs. The effects of crew co-ordination and level of instruction on performance system monitoring, operators' internal representation of the system, communication and reaction were assessed in a laboratory simulation of a process control plant. Results indicated that crew co-ordination and procedures or principles-based instruction enhanced performance, but no interaction between these factors was found. System monitoring behaviour was not affected by co-ordination or level of instruction but subjects receiving proccdures or principles-based instruction perceived the task as requiring a higher level of effort. Internal representation and communication data are currently being analysed.
22.1.45 (118483) Sainfort, P.A. Job design predictors of stress in automated offices. Behav[our and Inform Technol, 1990, 9.1, 3-16, 25 refs.
The effects of j o b control, j o b content, demands and career/future concerns on stress outcomes were tested in a population of video display terminal (VDT) users that were categorised as clericals, managers/ supervisors and professionals. It was found that career/future concerns were consistent contributors to stress outcomes across j o b categories, but j o b control - which was hypothesised as a central sensor - did not contribute to the stress outcomes. Analyses performed within each of the three j o b categories demonstrated that different j o b elements contributed to the stress outcomes. A proposed model that defined j o b control as the central j o b element through which other j o b features (i e, job content, demands and career/future concerns) produced stress outcomes was verified in only one of the four analyses for m o o d disturbances among professional VDT users.
22.1.46 (119226) Blomberg, P.E., and Akerhielm, F. Applied means to increase stimulation in the control room work at the Swedish nuclear power plants. In: E.W. Hagen (Ed), Conference Record for 1988 IEEE 4th Conf on Human Factors and Power Plants, Monterey, Cal, 5 - 9 June 1988. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers,
New York, ]988, pp 525-528, 0 refs. Nuclear power plants are generally designed and built with a quality which implies that the units seldom require intervention from the operating staff under normal operating conditions. This leaves the operators with the predominant task of only passively supervising the process. A number of measures have been taken to counteract the problem of understimulated individuals in the control rooms and to maintain active and purposeful working conditions. Basically these measures derive from the belief that augmented competence, increased responsibilities and an enhanced sense of indispensability will function as an inspiration even in a m o n o t o n o u s working situation. F o r this purpose a number of activities and tasks, parallel to the normal duties of a m e m b e r of the operating staff, have been implemented. The programme, which has been planned, developed and carried out for some years, more or less in an the Swedish nuclear power plants, comprises both general process-related tasks and procedures organised for the shift-teams and a number of individually directed undertakings. This report presents a brief description of the essential parts of the programme.
Applied Ergonomics
February1991
65
Dahlgren, K. Shfftwork, work scheduling and their impact upon operators in nuclear power plants. In: E.W. Hagen (Ed),
Conference Record for 1988 IEEE 4th Conf on Human Factors and Power Plants, Monterey, Cal, 5 - 9 June 1988. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, New York, 1988, pp 5 1 7 521, 24 refs. The risk of operator error may increase during the night shift due to the influence from circadian rhythms, with variations in alertness and performance efficiency. Many of the more severe accidents and incidents have also occurred during night shifts. Although the problems of a decrease in performance capacity in connection with shiftwork cannot be eliminated, several important measures can be taken to decrease the probability of its occurrence. This paper deals with some factors that have been shown to have a major impact upon the adjustment to shift work - the design of the shift schedule playing an important role. It is suggested that improvements are made in terms of incident reporting systems and an incident analysis to ensure that proper remedies are applied regarding the problems associated with 24-hour operations. Also, the already existing b o d y of knowledge from applied shiftwork research is considered in relation to present practices. 22.1.44 (118481) Switzer, F., and Idaszak, J. Effects of crew coordination and level of instruction on process control operator behaviour. In: Perspectives. Proc Human Factors Soc 33rd Ann Meeting, Denver, Colorado, 1 6 - 2 0 Oct 1989. Human Factors Soc, Santa Monica, Cal, Vol 2, 1989, pp 7 8 8 - 7 9 1 , 7 refs. The effects of crew co-ordination and level of instruction on performance system monitoring, operators' internal representation of the system, communication and reaction were assessed in a laboratory simulation of a process control plant. Results indicated that crew co-ordination and procedures or principles-based instruction enhanced performance, but no interaction between these factors was found. System monitoring behaviour was not affected by co-ordination or level of instruction but subjects receiving proccdures or principles-based instruction perceived the task as requiring a higher level of effort. Internal representation and communication data are currently being analysed.
22.1.45 (118483) Sainfort, P.A. Job design predictors of stress in automated offices. Behav[our and Inform Technol, 1990, 9.1, 3-16, 25 refs.
The effects of j o b control, j o b content, demands and career/future concerns on stress outcomes were tested in a population of video display terminal (VDT) users that were categorised as clericals, managers/ supervisors and professionals. It was found that career/future concerns were consistent contributors to stress outcomes across j o b categories, but j o b control - which was hypothesised as a central sensor - did not contribute to the stress outcomes. Analyses performed within each of the three j o b categories demonstrated that different j o b elements contributed to the stress outcomes. A proposed model that defined j o b control as the central j o b element through which other j o b features (i e, job content, demands and career/future concerns) produced stress outcomes was verified in only one of the four analyses for m o o d disturbances among professional VDT users.
22.1.46 (119226) Blomberg, P.E., and Akerhielm, F. Applied means to increase stimulation in the control room work at the Swedish nuclear power plants. In: E.W. Hagen (Ed), Conference Record for 1988 IEEE 4th Conf on Human Factors and Power Plants, Monterey, Cal, 5 - 9 June 1988. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers,
New York, ]988, pp 525-528, 0 refs. Nuclear power plants are generally designed and built with a quality which implies that the units seldom require intervention from the operating staff under normal operating conditions. This leaves the operators with the predominant task of only passively supervising the process. A number of measures have been taken to counteract the problem of understimulated individuals in the control rooms and to maintain active and purposeful working conditions. Basically these measures derive from the belief that augmented competence, increased responsibilities and an enhanced sense of indispensability will function as an inspiration even in a m o n o t o n o u s working situation. F o r this purpose a number of activities and tasks, parallel to the normal duties of a m e m b e r of the operating staff, have been implemented. The programme, which has been planned, developed and carried out for some years, more or less in an the Swedish nuclear power plants, comprises both general process-related tasks and procedures organised for the shift-teams and a number of individually directed undertakings. This report presents a brief description of the essential parts of the programme.
Applied Ergonomics
February1991
65